FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT ILLEGAL DRUGS - PAGE 3

Allentown police who were investigating reports of shots fired early Sunday found a handgun, spent shells and illegal drugs. Shots were first reported about 3 a.m. near 10th and Oak streets, according to police reports. Police responding to the area observed a man leave 237 N. 10th St. While searching the second floor of the building, they saw a ceiling tile that had been recently disturbed and confiscated crack cocaine and marijuana in small glassine bags, the reports said. A small blue handgun and a number of shells were also recovered from the area, although reports did not indicate where the gun and shells were found.

There are many aspects to this nation's problem with illegal drugs, but s the simple economics of supply and demand lie at the roots. In Mexico this week President Clinton admitted that the United States has "less than 5 percent of the world's population, and we consume about half the drugs." One result is that the drug war has become a touchy issue between the U.S. and Mexico. Earlier this year, Congress, enraged by revelations that Mexico's top drug fighting officer was in the pay of drug kingpins, tried to strip Mexico of its status in the drug war and of funds accompanying that ally status.

Police are looking for two men who stole $1,500 in Mucinex last month from a Lansdale pharmacy. Lansdale police said the thefts happened on Jan. 13 at the Rite Aid on 10 W. Main St. The two men used gift bags to conceal the Mucinex products and then flee from the store. Mucinex is used to treat nasal and sinus congestion, however it is also abused as a recreational drug and contains ingredients used to make illegal drugs. Police said the two men caught by surveillance cameras taking the Mucinex are described as black males who appear to be in their late teens or early 20s. Anyone with information should contact Lansdale police 215-368-1801.

Salisbury Township Police Department reported that retired police dog Zeus, who patrolled the township and hunted illegal drugs for seven years, has died. "It is with a heavy heart that we have to report the loss of retired K-9 Zeus," Salisbury police said on Facebook. "Zeus served the township of Salisbury from 2003-2010 tracking numerous suspects, found countless amounts of drugs and conducted many school and public presentations in the township. "Our condolences are with officer Jason Laky, who was his handler during his working years and caretaker after his retirement in 2010.

A Bethlehem man who lost $300 when he allegedly bought a topical anesthetic that he thought was illegal drugs could lose his pickup truck under the state's forfeiture law. Walter Stapinski, 41, of the 1800 block of Hampton Street was driving the 1995 Ford pickup on March 17 when police stopped him in Bethlehem Township for suspected drunken driving and found 22 small plastic bags of procaine. Procaine is a legal substance used as a numbing agent. At a hearing Friday in Northampton County Court before Judge William F. Moran, Assistant District Attorney Sandra Foster argued that because Stapinski intended to buy illegal drugs, his pickup truck and $100 found in his wallet are fair game for forfeiture.

A New Jersey man was found with about $3,000 worth of cocaine in his car after he was stopped for speeding Tuesday in Tinicum Township, according to state police at Dublin. Hugh Breen, 40, of Ewing, was charged before District Justice J. Robert Hunsicker with driving too fast and possession with intent to distribute illegal drugs, said police. He was committed to Bucks County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail but was later released, according to prison officials. Police became suspicious after Breen was stopped for speeding on Route 611 about 9 p.m. and gave "conflicting answers" to questions.

State police say four people who drove through a sobriety checkpoint in Bucks County Friday night were arrested for driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. The checkpoint was set up by state police in Dublin at 10:30 p.m. on Route 611 in Nockamixon Township and lasted about three hours. In addition to the four driving under the influence arrests, state police said one person was arrested for possession of illegal drugs. The checkpoint was part of a month-long initiative by state police in Dublin under the Selective Traffic Enforcement Against Drunk Driving Program.

A Douglass Township couple are in Berks County Prison after police raided their home yesterday and found $20,000 worth of illegal drugs. David and Melanie Gaudioso, both 28, of 428 Englesville Road, were charged with possession, possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia and conspiracy. District Justice Roland Schock committed them to prison in lieu of $50,000 bail each. State police at Reading said the State Police Region Two Strike Force, assisted by the Douglass Township, Colebrookdale Township and Boyertown police departments, entered the home with a search warrant about 3 p.m. They found a half pound of cocaine, 1 1/2 ounces of methamphetamin e, or speed, about a half pound of marijuana, associated drug use items and about $3,000 in cash.

Allentown mayoral candidate Emma Tropiano pledged in a platform statement last week to drive illegal drugs and prostitution from the city and create an honest and efficient administration. "I propose to meet increasing crime with a strengthened police force, including a vice unit adequately equipped with the manpower and resources to unlock the grip which drug dealers and prostitutes presently hold over many of this city's neighborhoods," Tropiano said. Tropiano issued the statement during a news conference at 2nd and Gordon streets.

by CHRISTINA PARKER (A free-lance story for The Morning Call) | August 3, 1995

Police, parents and drug and alcohol counselors will be called in immediately if a student is caught using, possessing or selling illegal drugs under Palmerton's first elementary school drug policy. The school board reviewed the proposed policy at a meeting Tuesday, and board members expect to adopt the policy when they meet on Tuesday. Similar policies exist for the junior high and high schools. However, the elementary school policy will be geared to younger children, S.S. Palmer Elementary School Principal Sarah Stroup said.